Wow, where have the days gone? Summer is almost over, and Thanksgiving is on its way! Things here in LA are steadily getting better.. well, I don't know if we are "better" but we are leveling out a bit... we still have those days where the pain is so intense it brings me to my knees and the tears just flow.. but I know that is part of it. I often struggle with my sadness because I feel like it is not honoring Josh, he was such a happy, carefree guy.. and I know he would not want us to weep or to be bitter.. it is just hard.. and I know life is not fair, but I cannot get over the fact that he was here and gone so quickly. If you would just please keep us in your prayers, we would really appreciate it. We truly are blessed by so many people... one of my best friends Michelle sent me a text that really made my day, so simple it said "have a good day today, I will cry your tears for you"... I LOVE YOU MICHELLE!!
OK-- on to what I know you are wanting updated on! Our baby is getting so big. He has started saying "da da" (his first words) "ma ma", "I good" "hey" "red raiders are going to kick some tail this year, and smear those aggies into the ground".. Ok ok, I may have exaggerated a bit on the last one, but.. we can hope!! He still spends his days with his Granny Dana and loves every bit of it. Jett joked the other day when Dana dropped him off (yes, she even brings him home some days for us, she is wonderful) Anyways, Jett said to Colton "ok, tell her bye, you are going to spend time with the babysitters (us)" ha ha. He loves his Granny so very much, I kind of think she likes him as well. He is crawling.. well, maybe more like army crawling pretty much every where. If you put my phone in front of him, he will come to you quick! He is eating, as you can tell in any pictures you see of him!
Jett is doing great as well.. He did fall off the bridge.. but luckily he had his harness on.. I can joke about it now, but I was scared to death when he came home and was hurt. he fell about 16 foot and the harness caught and swung him into the cement (my friends from Minnesota just smiled because they know I pronounce that Sea Mint.... and my Texas friends are saying "what the heck is so funny about that").. I really don't know what happened but I know he is ok, so that is what matters.
Krista just got back home after traveling to Ft. Sumner, Lubbock and Kansas. She had a really good time but she was ready to get back to her Colton.. It is so special to see her bond with him... he defineatly has her heart, there is no doubt about it. She has started school, so things are getting into a routine! As for me, work is going great. We have opened our three schools and they are running pretty smoothly... I stay VERY busy at work which helps keep my mind off things.. I am truly blessed by this job!
Ok, this video is pretty funny... now, please don't make fun of my singing, but I had to share it!! Turn up the volume, Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oh Man!
You know, sometimes I wonder if anyone ever looks at the blog.. so frankly, I have been slacking. Then in a matter of a couple hours I was told by THREE people "I check the blog, why aren't you updating" So, I am sorry, I will try to be better. Jett was out of town all week last week! It was rough on me, partly because I missed him so much and then the other part was scared that someone was going to call and tell me that something happened to him. I just have that kind of fear now, that something is going to happen again to someone I love. I am working on that!
We are all so darned busy right now. My work is going great, we just have a LOT of work to do before school starts on August 11th! My days are very long!! Jett unfortunatly has to work out in the sun for the most part of the day. I feel so bad for him and Rick (AKA Poppy AKA Popcicle since he provides Colton's favorite snack) you can just see the fatigue on their faces when you see them. It has been a miserably hot summer here (as well as where you guys are I am sure). I am looking forward to not feeling sticky!
Colton is doing so great! He is sitting up for long periods of time. He has four teeth in and two on their way in. He loves going to Granny Dana's house. His days are spent lounging by the pool or ingulging in an Enfamil bottle while being rocked by her!! They make quite a pair, and we are so blessed. I was so very worried about being away from our family, that he would not feel that bond with anyone.. lucky for us, we found Dana!!!!! I was reading my good friend Johnnie's blog and she was talking about how much she loves to bathe her little ones, and I had to laugh, because one of my favorite times with Colton is bath time. Here are some pictures I thought you might like:
We are all so darned busy right now. My work is going great, we just have a LOT of work to do before school starts on August 11th! My days are very long!! Jett unfortunatly has to work out in the sun for the most part of the day. I feel so bad for him and Rick (AKA Poppy AKA Popcicle since he provides Colton's favorite snack) you can just see the fatigue on their faces when you see them. It has been a miserably hot summer here (as well as where you guys are I am sure). I am looking forward to not feeling sticky!
Colton is doing so great! He is sitting up for long periods of time. He has four teeth in and two on their way in. He loves going to Granny Dana's house. His days are spent lounging by the pool or ingulging in an Enfamil bottle while being rocked by her!! They make quite a pair, and we are so blessed. I was so very worried about being away from our family, that he would not feel that bond with anyone.. lucky for us, we found Dana!!!!! I was reading my good friend Johnnie's blog and she was talking about how much she loves to bathe her little ones, and I had to laugh, because one of my favorite times with Colton is bath time. Here are some pictures I thought you might like:
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Oh Happy Baby
We are all doing ok.. just day by day.. 4th of July was a little rough.. but to be expected..
Colton is amazing. Three teeth, cute as everything!! He loves spending time with his Granny Dana and Tia Leah... I don't know if I could have gone back to work if it was not for them.. they love him ALMOST as much as mommy and daddy do!!!
Love
Shauna
Colton is amazing. Three teeth, cute as everything!! He loves spending time with his Granny Dana and Tia Leah... I don't know if I could have gone back to work if it was not for them.. they love him ALMOST as much as mommy and daddy do!!!
Love
Shauna
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Many Many Thanks
It has been 24 days, and we are slowly trying to face each day with hope. Each day is filled with memories, with what if's or why didn't I's... our hearts are still hurting, but we are trying to find some peace...
My Nana told me that Josh's friends were going to the cemetary every day to visit him.. I wish I could go, it is hard being so far away. However, I hope they know, as I do, that he is not there, that is just his resting place.
I take comfort in other things now, when the wind blows, it is Josh telling me hi... when the rain slowly falls, it is Josh letting me know he is here... .I see him in many different aspects, and it comforts my heart.
I feel sad that I have not talked to him yet.. I can't start that conversation, because... well, to be honest, that would be admitting that I am talking to the air and not to his living, breathing body. I will though. I know he knows I am missing him.
Do you ever get that feeling, you know.. when you are down, and sad.. you just get that feeling of "ok, this is going to be ok".. every day, EVERY DAY, when I drive to and from work, I can't help but get sad.. it is my only alone time each day... and I get sad and cry alot.. and it never fails, at some point I feel a peace.. I firmly believe that is one of your prayers for us.. I know that we are so blessed to have so many people who continue to pray for our family, and I just want you to know, that we feel it.. I know that sounds silly to some, but I really REALLY feel that peace.
I know that one day, the sadness will slowly fade.. it won't go away, but it won't be so harsh.. I just ask that you all bear with us.. I know I have not been as good with keeping up with the emails, and I really apologize... I really do appreciate all your friendship.
When I get down, there are a few pictures that I look at to bring me peace. I have yet to upload any pictures of Josh, but I will.. trust me, i will get some on here.. I just have not done it yet.
Here are some that make me smile:
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My Nana told me that Josh's friends were going to the cemetary every day to visit him.. I wish I could go, it is hard being so far away. However, I hope they know, as I do, that he is not there, that is just his resting place.
I take comfort in other things now, when the wind blows, it is Josh telling me hi... when the rain slowly falls, it is Josh letting me know he is here... .I see him in many different aspects, and it comforts my heart.
I feel sad that I have not talked to him yet.. I can't start that conversation, because... well, to be honest, that would be admitting that I am talking to the air and not to his living, breathing body. I will though. I know he knows I am missing him.
Do you ever get that feeling, you know.. when you are down, and sad.. you just get that feeling of "ok, this is going to be ok".. every day, EVERY DAY, when I drive to and from work, I can't help but get sad.. it is my only alone time each day... and I get sad and cry alot.. and it never fails, at some point I feel a peace.. I firmly believe that is one of your prayers for us.. I know that we are so blessed to have so many people who continue to pray for our family, and I just want you to know, that we feel it.. I know that sounds silly to some, but I really REALLY feel that peace.
I know that one day, the sadness will slowly fade.. it won't go away, but it won't be so harsh.. I just ask that you all bear with us.. I know I have not been as good with keeping up with the emails, and I really apologize... I really do appreciate all your friendship.
When I get down, there are a few pictures that I look at to bring me peace. I have yet to upload any pictures of Josh, but I will.. trust me, i will get some on here.. I just have not done it yet.
Here are some that make me smile:
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Sunday, June 8, 2008
The worst week of my life
On Sunday night, at about 8 30, my world fell apart. My nana called and asked to speak to Jett. I knew something was wrong. My brother Josh, was in a jet skiing accident, and they could not find him.
So many thoughts rushed into my head.. this is a joke, I waited to0 late, maybe he swam to the shore, I waited too late, there is still hope, I waited too late. Jett called the airline and got Krista and I tickets to fly out at 6 am on Monday morning. We did not sleep at all. We got our stuff packed and flew home. All the way to Lubbock, we were scared to check our messages because we were afraid to find out that they found him.
Darla and David drove from Dallas where they were at due to Darla's knee surgery. They picked us up and we drove to FS. We got home and nana was still out at the lake. We could not believe they had not found him. We drove out to the lake and saw the divers.. we saw our family sitting under the tree just waiting. I saw my mom for the first time in 7 years. We were able to hold on to each other and cry for Josh. We watched the boats all day long.. then the divers called off the search for the night due to losing daylight.
Tuesday we went out bright and early. The divers dove for probably about two to three hours before they called off the search due to the wind being so bad. We are from an amazing community. We had about four boats out there and a lot of volunteers looking for him. They did not find him that night.
Jett flew into Lubbock that night. He picked up Dar and David's boat and pulled it to Ft. Sumner. I was so glad to see him... I needed him to be strong for me.
On Wednesday, which was my birthday, we went up to Aunt Molly and Uncle Cliffords and were talking. I decided that I wanted to have a prayer vigil that night out at the lake. So at about 10 am, I called about five or six of the local businesses and had them handwrite a sign letting people know about it. At 6PM that night, (which was the time Josh went under) we had 150 people praying. It was AWESOME. The prayers were sincere, the pleas to let us find Josh..... while we were praying, 600 yards away, right where he went down, he came up. The park rangers found him.. they were able to pull him from the water and take him away from us. They sent a decoy boat so we would not know. Our prayers were answered. I truly believe that Josh wanted us to all pull together, he wanted everyone to lend us strength because while finding him was a great relief, it also meant that it was true, that he was gone.
We found out that Josh had been on the water all day with some friends of his. He wore his life vest all day. He was trying to do a 360 on the jet ski and could not land it. So as they were packing up to go for the day, he decided to try one more time. His friends heard the jet ski fire up and off Josh went, with out his vest. This is where we get so many different accounts of what happened. I got to the point where I did not care really what happened, I just know he is gone. There was no foul play, all the witnesses agreed on that. The autopsy said there was no trauma.. he just drowned.
The funeral was beautiful. The church was packed. The family walked in to Johnny Cash, I walk the Line... because that was Josh's favorite song. Yes, that is not your normal song, but as soon as the music started, we had to chuckle, then of course the tears started to flow. When I saw his friends, Travis, Derek, Mikey, Jason, Greg, John, I could just go on and on.. when I saw them and saw the hurt in their eyes, I was heartbroken... when I saw the casket, I fell apart.. I never thought that I would be seeing that.. I should NOT have been seeing that.
Derek and his friends got some of the motorcycle gang together to ride escort to the cemetary.. again, when those hogs fired up, I had to smile.. I said "You know Josh is up there laughing at us.. you got all of us over here crying at the church and then, across the streets, there are the rebels!"
Josh's friends did not want the backhoe to fill in the dirt... they all shoveled and covered their best friend up.
It was the worst week of my life.
We have so many people to thank. Of course, the searchers.... they did not give up... the Lake Fire and Rescue, the American Legion, the families who live at the lake...
PeePaws youngest brother Larry and his wife Sherilyn came in from Oklahoma. They were so awesome.. They helped with Colton, they helped with all the meals, they just did all the little things that we could not focus on... I cannot tell you how much it meant that they were there with us the whole week, being strong when we fell apart...
On my Dad's side of the family, we had amazing support as well. For the first time in who knows how long, all five of Granny's kids came in and all but one grandson was here (Jeremy is in college in Oregon, I know he would have been here if he could have).
My mom and dad are handling this fairly well. They both are so hearbroken. Josh loved them both and they loved him also. Being from a divorce is so tough.. there are so many ways you are pulled.. I take comfort in talking to Josh's friends that he had a relationship with both sides of the family.... even though some don't believe it, it is very true.
I just have to things to ask of you.. (1) please wear your life vests when you are on the lake... and (2) hug your loved ones, let them know how special they are. Call up your brother / sister and just tell them you love them.. call your mom and dad and check up on them, those cousins you have not seen in ages, call them. Don't let a tragedy be the thing that brings you together...
Josh's obituary is on www.chavezfuneralhome.com
I will post some pictures soon.
For all of you who sent your wellwishes, please know that I am going to be sending you an email / letter soon. I just need some time to process this.
Please continue to pray for us.. for the family and also for the friends. We are all grieving in different ways, but it is still grieving... help us to be strong and help us to heal.
Love
Shauna
So many thoughts rushed into my head.. this is a joke, I waited to0 late, maybe he swam to the shore, I waited too late, there is still hope, I waited too late. Jett called the airline and got Krista and I tickets to fly out at 6 am on Monday morning. We did not sleep at all. We got our stuff packed and flew home. All the way to Lubbock, we were scared to check our messages because we were afraid to find out that they found him.
Darla and David drove from Dallas where they were at due to Darla's knee surgery. They picked us up and we drove to FS. We got home and nana was still out at the lake. We could not believe they had not found him. We drove out to the lake and saw the divers.. we saw our family sitting under the tree just waiting. I saw my mom for the first time in 7 years. We were able to hold on to each other and cry for Josh. We watched the boats all day long.. then the divers called off the search for the night due to losing daylight.
Tuesday we went out bright and early. The divers dove for probably about two to three hours before they called off the search due to the wind being so bad. We are from an amazing community. We had about four boats out there and a lot of volunteers looking for him. They did not find him that night.
Jett flew into Lubbock that night. He picked up Dar and David's boat and pulled it to Ft. Sumner. I was so glad to see him... I needed him to be strong for me.
On Wednesday, which was my birthday, we went up to Aunt Molly and Uncle Cliffords and were talking. I decided that I wanted to have a prayer vigil that night out at the lake. So at about 10 am, I called about five or six of the local businesses and had them handwrite a sign letting people know about it. At 6PM that night, (which was the time Josh went under) we had 150 people praying. It was AWESOME. The prayers were sincere, the pleas to let us find Josh..... while we were praying, 600 yards away, right where he went down, he came up. The park rangers found him.. they were able to pull him from the water and take him away from us. They sent a decoy boat so we would not know. Our prayers were answered. I truly believe that Josh wanted us to all pull together, he wanted everyone to lend us strength because while finding him was a great relief, it also meant that it was true, that he was gone.
We found out that Josh had been on the water all day with some friends of his. He wore his life vest all day. He was trying to do a 360 on the jet ski and could not land it. So as they were packing up to go for the day, he decided to try one more time. His friends heard the jet ski fire up and off Josh went, with out his vest. This is where we get so many different accounts of what happened. I got to the point where I did not care really what happened, I just know he is gone. There was no foul play, all the witnesses agreed on that. The autopsy said there was no trauma.. he just drowned.
The funeral was beautiful. The church was packed. The family walked in to Johnny Cash, I walk the Line... because that was Josh's favorite song. Yes, that is not your normal song, but as soon as the music started, we had to chuckle, then of course the tears started to flow. When I saw his friends, Travis, Derek, Mikey, Jason, Greg, John, I could just go on and on.. when I saw them and saw the hurt in their eyes, I was heartbroken... when I saw the casket, I fell apart.. I never thought that I would be seeing that.. I should NOT have been seeing that.
Derek and his friends got some of the motorcycle gang together to ride escort to the cemetary.. again, when those hogs fired up, I had to smile.. I said "You know Josh is up there laughing at us.. you got all of us over here crying at the church and then, across the streets, there are the rebels!"
Josh's friends did not want the backhoe to fill in the dirt... they all shoveled and covered their best friend up.
It was the worst week of my life.
We have so many people to thank. Of course, the searchers.... they did not give up... the Lake Fire and Rescue, the American Legion, the families who live at the lake...
PeePaws youngest brother Larry and his wife Sherilyn came in from Oklahoma. They were so awesome.. They helped with Colton, they helped with all the meals, they just did all the little things that we could not focus on... I cannot tell you how much it meant that they were there with us the whole week, being strong when we fell apart...
On my Dad's side of the family, we had amazing support as well. For the first time in who knows how long, all five of Granny's kids came in and all but one grandson was here (Jeremy is in college in Oregon, I know he would have been here if he could have).
My mom and dad are handling this fairly well. They both are so hearbroken. Josh loved them both and they loved him also. Being from a divorce is so tough.. there are so many ways you are pulled.. I take comfort in talking to Josh's friends that he had a relationship with both sides of the family.... even though some don't believe it, it is very true.
I just have to things to ask of you.. (1) please wear your life vests when you are on the lake... and (2) hug your loved ones, let them know how special they are. Call up your brother / sister and just tell them you love them.. call your mom and dad and check up on them, those cousins you have not seen in ages, call them. Don't let a tragedy be the thing that brings you together...
Josh's obituary is on www.chavezfuneralhome.com
I will post some pictures soon.
For all of you who sent your wellwishes, please know that I am going to be sending you an email / letter soon. I just need some time to process this.
Please continue to pray for us.. for the family and also for the friends. We are all grieving in different ways, but it is still grieving... help us to be strong and help us to heal.
Love
Shauna
Monday, May 26, 2008
Mother's Day
Wow, sorry this is so late!
Well, I had the most amazing Mother's Day ever!! It was so amazing to be able to celebrate it, and to feel so honored, as I feel I have honored those who are mother's to me!! My dad sent me the most AMAZING flowers to work, they were so pretty and it was very sweet! Then, I woke up on Mother's day to flowers from Jett and the most WONDERFUL card from Colton / Daddy...
Jett fixed my closet for me, which to some, might not mean so much, but I LOVE it. I have a whole new rod for my clothes and that means NO MORE squeezing clothes in!! To me, it was the best present ever!!
I just feel so blessed to have such an amazing family, a healthy son and a loving husband, a sistger who makes me smile every day.. I also have two amazing women my mom and Jett's mom who help me to be a better mom to Colton.
I also draw from my Nana. She loves all her children unconditionally, and I just hope and pray that the patience, never ending love, support, guidance, laughter and spirit that she shows each and every one of us has passed down to me, so that I can show those same qualities to my family!!
To all the mothers out there, I think you are amazing, we have the hardest job and we do it with LOVE and DEVOTION!!!
Happy Late Mother's day to you all!
Here are two pictures of my favorite son. The first one is his sweet smile and the second one is his attempt to be like Daddy in a hard hat!
Well, I had the most amazing Mother's Day ever!! It was so amazing to be able to celebrate it, and to feel so honored, as I feel I have honored those who are mother's to me!! My dad sent me the most AMAZING flowers to work, they were so pretty and it was very sweet! Then, I woke up on Mother's day to flowers from Jett and the most WONDERFUL card from Colton / Daddy...
Jett fixed my closet for me, which to some, might not mean so much, but I LOVE it. I have a whole new rod for my clothes and that means NO MORE squeezing clothes in!! To me, it was the best present ever!!
I just feel so blessed to have such an amazing family, a healthy son and a loving husband, a sistger who makes me smile every day.. I also have two amazing women my mom and Jett's mom who help me to be a better mom to Colton.
I also draw from my Nana. She loves all her children unconditionally, and I just hope and pray that the patience, never ending love, support, guidance, laughter and spirit that she shows each and every one of us has passed down to me, so that I can show those same qualities to my family!!
To all the mothers out there, I think you are amazing, we have the hardest job and we do it with LOVE and DEVOTION!!!
Happy Late Mother's day to you all!
Here are two pictures of my favorite son. The first one is his sweet smile and the second one is his attempt to be like Daddy in a hard hat!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Changes..oh the changes
Well, BIG NEWS.. I am working again..
Before I get "you are a bad mommy comments" Just know that it was not a decision that was made lightly. I was not looking for a job, it came looking for me. I thought, eh, ok, I will go and interview to see if I am even interested.. and interested I WAS!!! The ONLY setback was that I love and adore Colton and was not sure what to do with him.. was I going to scar him for life??? Was I being selfish? I just did not know.
When I went for my interview, I had no one to watch him. Krista had school, Jett could not miss work. Luckily, we new that one of Jett's co workers (Ricky) wife would be able to. So we called up Dana and she said "Sure, bring him by" When I got there, Dana and her two daughters, Shorrie (Lives in Indiana, but is down for Leah's wedding) and Leah were there. I dropped off the baby and off I went..by the time I got back, I knew I wanted the job. So I was talking to them about how I have to find daycare and Dana said "we don't want our baby going to daycare!" YUP, her and Leah decided that they wanted to watch him.. and what a blessing it has been!!! Colton LOVES his Granny Dana and Aunties!!
I would love to go more into where I am working and what I am doing, but I know that some people who I don't want to, read this blog and I just don't want to deal with drama!! So, if you wanna know, just email me and I will tell you all about it!
Hope all is well!
Before I get "you are a bad mommy comments" Just know that it was not a decision that was made lightly. I was not looking for a job, it came looking for me. I thought, eh, ok, I will go and interview to see if I am even interested.. and interested I WAS!!! The ONLY setback was that I love and adore Colton and was not sure what to do with him.. was I going to scar him for life??? Was I being selfish? I just did not know.
When I went for my interview, I had no one to watch him. Krista had school, Jett could not miss work. Luckily, we new that one of Jett's co workers (Ricky) wife would be able to. So we called up Dana and she said "Sure, bring him by" When I got there, Dana and her two daughters, Shorrie (Lives in Indiana, but is down for Leah's wedding) and Leah were there. I dropped off the baby and off I went..by the time I got back, I knew I wanted the job. So I was talking to them about how I have to find daycare and Dana said "we don't want our baby going to daycare!" YUP, her and Leah decided that they wanted to watch him.. and what a blessing it has been!!! Colton LOVES his Granny Dana and Aunties!!
I would love to go more into where I am working and what I am doing, but I know that some people who I don't want to, read this blog and I just don't want to deal with drama!! So, if you wanna know, just email me and I will tell you all about it!
Hope all is well!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
First Professional Photos
We took Colton to Sears today for his first photo session.. I am really not into professional photos, I like the candid's beter, but, I wanted at least one sitting (and we got a coupon in the mail). They turned out really sweet. We got them all enhanced (borders, edges softened, black and whites etc) but on the CD they just copied the original shots. Krista is going to work on enhancing the cd images, but until then, I thought we could share these:
Just stuff
WHEW, it is the weekend! I really enjoy having Jett and Krista home!
Cyrus (also known as C-diddy .. that is his gangsta name... he LOOOVES rap!) came to visit us on his long trip from Biloxi to Albuquerque. As usual when he is here, we ate way too much. We had a birthday bbq to celebrate, except what kind of friend am I .. I had the date wrong! OOOPS.. I am sure he will forgive me! (I HOPE). We had steak, mashed potatoes, fresh corn, bread, deviled eggs, and TWO pies! WOW.. it was great. We played the WII and of course picked on each other the whole time. I hate that he is not moving to Louisiana, but Houston is not that far.. right?
We are excited for some upcoming trips.
Hopefully the first weekend in May we will meet up with Mom and Dad Walker in Houston to give them a "Colton" fix.. maybe catch a stro's game... who knows. . so long as we get to hang out we are good with that..
We are heading to Colorado in the middle of May to spend a week with our family. The parentals bought a house there and so all the kids are going to FINALLY get together.. I don't know when the last time Brit, Aric, Krista, Jett and I (AND COLTON) were all together.. too long. While we stay in contact via email and phone, it is not the same as hanging out... Plus, Aunt Brit has not met Colton.. we need to rectify that PRONTO!!
In June, we are going to Florida for a weekend to celebrate my birthday. My dad is going to meet us there, he said this is his birthday present to me, that is nice huh!!
In July, we will be back to Corpus for the 4th... as per our tradition! Kent and Preggo Sarah are going to make it down.. so that means LOOOTS of fun for us!
Then in September, we will head BACK to Ft. Sumner for the Kenyon's 25th Consecutive Family Reunion out at the lake.
November is Thanksgiving in Corpus.
And in December.... well, no Christmas plans yet.. but I know we will be celebrating a ONE YEAR anniversary of the baby boy!! WOW!
Hopefully we can catch up with all of our buddies on our trips.. so let us know if you are free and we will plan on meeting up.
I know it seems like a lot of traveling but when you are so far from family.. you will do whatever it takes.. hopefully one day we can all be closer.. til then, we will be on the road!
Love to all!
Cyrus (also known as C-diddy .. that is his gangsta name... he LOOOVES rap!) came to visit us on his long trip from Biloxi to Albuquerque. As usual when he is here, we ate way too much. We had a birthday bbq to celebrate, except what kind of friend am I .. I had the date wrong! OOOPS.. I am sure he will forgive me! (I HOPE). We had steak, mashed potatoes, fresh corn, bread, deviled eggs, and TWO pies! WOW.. it was great. We played the WII and of course picked on each other the whole time. I hate that he is not moving to Louisiana, but Houston is not that far.. right?
We are excited for some upcoming trips.
Hopefully the first weekend in May we will meet up with Mom and Dad Walker in Houston to give them a "Colton" fix.. maybe catch a stro's game... who knows. . so long as we get to hang out we are good with that..
We are heading to Colorado in the middle of May to spend a week with our family. The parentals bought a house there and so all the kids are going to FINALLY get together.. I don't know when the last time Brit, Aric, Krista, Jett and I (AND COLTON) were all together.. too long. While we stay in contact via email and phone, it is not the same as hanging out... Plus, Aunt Brit has not met Colton.. we need to rectify that PRONTO!!
In June, we are going to Florida for a weekend to celebrate my birthday. My dad is going to meet us there, he said this is his birthday present to me, that is nice huh!!
In July, we will be back to Corpus for the 4th... as per our tradition! Kent and Preggo Sarah are going to make it down.. so that means LOOOTS of fun for us!
Then in September, we will head BACK to Ft. Sumner for the Kenyon's 25th Consecutive Family Reunion out at the lake.
November is Thanksgiving in Corpus.
And in December.... well, no Christmas plans yet.. but I know we will be celebrating a ONE YEAR anniversary of the baby boy!! WOW!
Hopefully we can catch up with all of our buddies on our trips.. so let us know if you are free and we will plan on meeting up.
I know it seems like a lot of traveling but when you are so far from family.. you will do whatever it takes.. hopefully one day we can all be closer.. til then, we will be on the road!
Love to all!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Ferry
Before:
after:
Before
Different angle but you can see the crane to get a general idea..
All I can say is that the river is rising, rising, rising.. they opened up the Bonnet Carre spillway:
Local news says: NORCO, La.—The Army Corps of Engineers opened a spillway near New Orleans for the first time in 11 years on Friday in an effort to spare the city any flooding from the swollen Mississippi River.
Heavy rain in the Mississippi Valley prompted the decision to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway, about 30 miles north of New Orleans.
The corps said the spillway could be open for a month. Gov. Bobby Jindal, who gave the cue to open the spillway with a thumbs-up to workers, said corps officials assured him levees should hold and should not be topped.
In addition to helping guard against flooding, opening the spillway is meant to ease pressure on levees and make it safer for ships and barges to navigate the river. The Mississippi
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opens the Bonnet Carre Spillway north of New Orleans to relieve the high water in the Mississippi River, send the diversion into Lake Pontchartrain Friday, April 11, 2008. Heavy rains farther north, in the Mississippi Valley, prompted the decision to open the spillway for only the ninth time since 1937. The corps says the spillway could be open for up to a month. ((AP Photo/Times-Picayune Photo, Ted Jackson) )River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is one of the world's busiest commercial waterways.
The river is typically high in spring as a combination of northern snow melt and rain in the U.S. heartland turns it into a rushing torrent of muddy water.
Despite the annual rising of the river, the corps seldom employs the spillway. Friday's opening was only the ninth since the spillway's construction in 1931.
The spillway diverts river water to Lake Pontchartrain, and from there into the Gulf of Mexico. The runoff from the river is not expected to significantly raise the level of the lake, but it is expected to affect plant and marine life as fresh river water pours into the brackish lake. The state plans to monitor its effects.
The spillway has 350 gated bays, each of which holds 20 large timbers—"needles"—that are removed by cranes to allow river water to flow through. The corps planned to open 38 bays initially, though Lt. Col. Murray Starkel said more could be opened if conditions warranted.
Corps engineers also opened some spillways Friday to release water into the already soggy White River basin from lakes swollen by recent rain in Arkansas and Missouri.
The corps began letting water out from Beaver, Table Rock and Norfork lakes, which dump water into the White River. The river rises in northwest Arkansas, flows north into Missouri, and then back south through Arkansas on its way to the Mississippi River.
Friday, April 11, 2008
More river pictures
YIKES. . . here is the river on April 10th.
And here it is this morning on April 11th. Notice that you can no longer see under the dock or whatever it is in the background.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
New Pictures of the River
Jett wanted me to post a couple new pictures so you can really see how much the river has risen.
This is Feb 9th:
This is today:
Keep checking back for more updates! It is very crazy how much it keeps going up. See my post from yesterday to read what the local paper had to say, and to get the link to the live webcam so you can check it out!
Thanks guys!
This is Feb 9th:
This is today:
Keep checking back for more updates! It is very crazy how much it keeps going up. See my post from yesterday to read what the local paper had to say, and to get the link to the live webcam so you can check it out!
Thanks guys!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The River
A couple of people have emailed or called to ask about the Mississippi River since they know Jett is working on it, so I thought I would give an update. Please see below the pictures for the newspaper write up on the river. As for Jett's job, here are a couple of pictures to show how much it has risen in a weeks time. If you want, you can save this website http://flatironcorp.oxblue.com/jjab/ as a favorite and you can check on the images.
On April 2nd, this is what it looked like:
And here it is today:
Here is what the Baton Rouge Newspaper published today: (Point Coupee Parish is the New Roads side of the river project that the bridge is connecting to)
"As water levels continue to rise, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stepped up its monitoring of levees along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers.
“We have moved up to our second phase of flood-fight activation which includes daily inspections,” said Eric Hughes, spokesman with the corps’ New Orleans District.
In other developments, some farmers in Pointe Coupee Parish lost their fight to keep their fields from flooding while state corrections officials may move prisoners from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola if conditions warrant.
As of Monday, corps staff are monitoring the levees along the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers in 12-hour shifts every day, Hughes said.
Areas of concern include any levee scouring on the river side or sand boils on the land side, which would indicate water pressure forcing water under the levee.
With the experience of floods in 1973, 1983, 1984 and 1997, corps staff know where these sand boils are traditionally found and where they might need to focus additional attention, said Lee Guillory, natural disaster manager for the corps, New Orleans District.
The New Orleans District is responsible for the approximately 760 miles of levees and floodwalls in the Mississippi River and Tributaries program that extend from Concordia Parish to the Gulf of Mexico, Guillory said.
So far, the corps hasn’t found any areas of concern along the levees, he said.
“Just the routine seepage areas and sand boils that we routinely see when the river gets high,” Guillory said.
A decision on whether to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway north of New Orleans to relieve high water pressure downriver is still under consideration, Hughes said.
In Pointe Coupee Parish, some farmers lost their battle to keep the rising water out of their fields.
From March 20 until Sunday, these farmers — with help from the community, businesses and the Louisiana National Guard — raised the levee with 4-foot square bags of dirt.
This 2.2-mile stretch of small levee is designed to let water into a holding area bordered by two large guide levees if the river reaches a certain height.
Marty Graham, one the farmers who use the property to plant wheat, soybeans and other crops, said they worked until Sunday evening but needed to pull equipment and people out of the area because of the danger.
“The river was coming up too fast,” Graham said.
Minor overtopping of the large dirt bags started Sunday, but by Monday there was major overtopping, he said.
On Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal requested assistance for farmers in the spillway and asked the U.S. secretary of agriculture to declare Pointe Coupee Parish a disaster area and for USDA benefits to be made available.
In Baton Rouge, levees continue to be monitored daily by the city-parish, which has jurisdiction over about 2 miles of levee from downtown to just north of LSU, and the Pontchartrain Levee District, which has jurisdiction along the east bank of the river from north of LSU through St. Charles Parish.
The river is forecast to crest in Baton Rouge at 41 feet April 16. During the last major high water event, in 1997, the river crested at 43.8 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Since March 24, Pontchartrain Levee District staff have submitted daily inspection reports to the corps, said Monica Salins, executive director of the levee district.
They haven’t found any problems, she said.
The district also has maintenance crews, levee district police and people who live along River Road keeping an eye on possible levee problems, she said.
River traffic on the swollen river is being monitored and directed in part through a traffic control center in downtown Baton Rouge, said Chief Matthew Valenti, public affairs officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Baton Rouge.
There are some restrictions on river traffic on things like necessary engine horsepower and how many barges can be moved by a vessel, but so far things are going smoothly, he said.
Karen St. Cyr, a spokeswoman for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, said the high water has not affected any of the port’s facilities.
The state Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Louisiana Sheriffs Association are working on a plan to move prisoners from Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola to other prisons if the river threatens their safety.
After the river’s 1997 record crest of 61.3 feet at Red River Landing near Angola nearly blew out the prison’s levees, the state and the Corps of Engineers strengthened and raised the flood protection structures.
Angola spokeswoman Cathy Fontenot said the levees are 66 feet high, but since they have not been seriously tested by a major flood, officials have decided to move inmates if the river reaches 63 feet at Red River Landing.
The river is forecast to crest in the area at 58.5 feet April 16, but Fontenot said prison officials are waiting to see if the forecast is revised upward.
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said the public should understand that Angola inmates will not be evacuated to parish jails.
Only state prisoners who pose less of a security risk will be moved to parish jails to make room for Angola prisoners in other state prisons, he said."
On April 2nd, this is what it looked like:
And here it is today:
Here is what the Baton Rouge Newspaper published today: (Point Coupee Parish is the New Roads side of the river project that the bridge is connecting to)
"As water levels continue to rise, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stepped up its monitoring of levees along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers.
“We have moved up to our second phase of flood-fight activation which includes daily inspections,” said Eric Hughes, spokesman with the corps’ New Orleans District.
In other developments, some farmers in Pointe Coupee Parish lost their fight to keep their fields from flooding while state corrections officials may move prisoners from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola if conditions warrant.
As of Monday, corps staff are monitoring the levees along the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers in 12-hour shifts every day, Hughes said.
Areas of concern include any levee scouring on the river side or sand boils on the land side, which would indicate water pressure forcing water under the levee.
With the experience of floods in 1973, 1983, 1984 and 1997, corps staff know where these sand boils are traditionally found and where they might need to focus additional attention, said Lee Guillory, natural disaster manager for the corps, New Orleans District.
The New Orleans District is responsible for the approximately 760 miles of levees and floodwalls in the Mississippi River and Tributaries program that extend from Concordia Parish to the Gulf of Mexico, Guillory said.
So far, the corps hasn’t found any areas of concern along the levees, he said.
“Just the routine seepage areas and sand boils that we routinely see when the river gets high,” Guillory said.
A decision on whether to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway north of New Orleans to relieve high water pressure downriver is still under consideration, Hughes said.
In Pointe Coupee Parish, some farmers lost their battle to keep the rising water out of their fields.
From March 20 until Sunday, these farmers — with help from the community, businesses and the Louisiana National Guard — raised the levee with 4-foot square bags of dirt.
This 2.2-mile stretch of small levee is designed to let water into a holding area bordered by two large guide levees if the river reaches a certain height.
Marty Graham, one the farmers who use the property to plant wheat, soybeans and other crops, said they worked until Sunday evening but needed to pull equipment and people out of the area because of the danger.
“The river was coming up too fast,” Graham said.
Minor overtopping of the large dirt bags started Sunday, but by Monday there was major overtopping, he said.
On Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal requested assistance for farmers in the spillway and asked the U.S. secretary of agriculture to declare Pointe Coupee Parish a disaster area and for USDA benefits to be made available.
In Baton Rouge, levees continue to be monitored daily by the city-parish, which has jurisdiction over about 2 miles of levee from downtown to just north of LSU, and the Pontchartrain Levee District, which has jurisdiction along the east bank of the river from north of LSU through St. Charles Parish.
The river is forecast to crest in Baton Rouge at 41 feet April 16. During the last major high water event, in 1997, the river crested at 43.8 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Since March 24, Pontchartrain Levee District staff have submitted daily inspection reports to the corps, said Monica Salins, executive director of the levee district.
They haven’t found any problems, she said.
The district also has maintenance crews, levee district police and people who live along River Road keeping an eye on possible levee problems, she said.
River traffic on the swollen river is being monitored and directed in part through a traffic control center in downtown Baton Rouge, said Chief Matthew Valenti, public affairs officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Baton Rouge.
There are some restrictions on river traffic on things like necessary engine horsepower and how many barges can be moved by a vessel, but so far things are going smoothly, he said.
Karen St. Cyr, a spokeswoman for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, said the high water has not affected any of the port’s facilities.
The state Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Louisiana Sheriffs Association are working on a plan to move prisoners from Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola to other prisons if the river threatens their safety.
After the river’s 1997 record crest of 61.3 feet at Red River Landing near Angola nearly blew out the prison’s levees, the state and the Corps of Engineers strengthened and raised the flood protection structures.
Angola spokeswoman Cathy Fontenot said the levees are 66 feet high, but since they have not been seriously tested by a major flood, officials have decided to move inmates if the river reaches 63 feet at Red River Landing.
The river is forecast to crest in the area at 58.5 feet April 16, but Fontenot said prison officials are waiting to see if the forecast is revised upward.
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said the public should understand that Angola inmates will not be evacuated to parish jails.
Only state prisoners who pose less of a security risk will be moved to parish jails to make room for Angola prisoners in other state prisons, he said."
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Happy Thursday
Cheese and Rice (Nick Nick always says that) I can't believe it is already APRIL!! Colton is 3 months old already, it seems like Jett just brought us home from the hospital.. YIKES.
As you can tell from my emails, we have one happy baby. Colton thinks that his mommy is the funniest person ever.. it does not matter what I am telling him, his face just lights up and he starts to giggle. Krista has been around to video it.. sometimes I try but as you can see from the drum video I emailed, it is hard to entertain and video at the same time..
Is anyone else watching Big Brother... or Survivor??? Who are ya rooting for?
Our days are getting a little more into a routine and Colton is really showing his love to me by USUALLY sleeping from about 7 30 or 8 pm til about 5 30 or 6! It is great to get that sleep. And he is all smiles when I go to get him up... I am crossing my fingers that the colic is LOOOOOOOOONG GONE!!
Krista had a spring fling at the college and since she is Ms. BRCC she had to help work it. She forgot sunscreen:
Don't worry, we certainly had a "discussion" about the importance of sunscreen and she knows she should have worn some.. hopefully she learned her lesson, and if not, she will be sporting a sexy farmers tan all summer to remind her of it HA HA
Hope all is well with you guys!
As you can tell from my emails, we have one happy baby. Colton thinks that his mommy is the funniest person ever.. it does not matter what I am telling him, his face just lights up and he starts to giggle. Krista has been around to video it.. sometimes I try but as you can see from the drum video I emailed, it is hard to entertain and video at the same time..
Is anyone else watching Big Brother... or Survivor??? Who are ya rooting for?
Our days are getting a little more into a routine and Colton is really showing his love to me by USUALLY sleeping from about 7 30 or 8 pm til about 5 30 or 6! It is great to get that sleep. And he is all smiles when I go to get him up... I am crossing my fingers that the colic is LOOOOOOOOONG GONE!!
Krista had a spring fling at the college and since she is Ms. BRCC she had to help work it. She forgot sunscreen:
Don't worry, we certainly had a "discussion" about the importance of sunscreen and she knows she should have worn some.. hopefully she learned her lesson, and if not, she will be sporting a sexy farmers tan all summer to remind her of it HA HA
Hope all is well with you guys!
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